Refrigerated cabinet having detachable frost shield

ABSTRACT

A refrigerated cabinet having a detachable frost shield which is easily removable for defrosting and quickly replaceable for further use. The frost shield has a panel which serves to cover a liner surface of a refrigerated wall in the cabinet. A mounting means is provided having one or more studs secured in a refrigerated wall so that the studs project from the liner surface thereof, and having a corresponding number of wedgeshaped embossments on the shield, the studs and embossments being placed in such a manner that they can be substantially aligned. As the frost shield is placed in a use position within the refrigerated cabinet, the embossments are engaged by the corresponding studs, thereby forcing the panel of the shield tightly against the liner surface. The studs and embossments can be quickly disengaged at a later desirable time to remove the frost shield for defrosting. The detachable frost shield can then once again be placed in the refrigerated cabinet for further use.

tates Patent Kenyon [75] Inventor: Andre J. Kenyon, Rosemount,

Minn.

[73] Assignee: Schaefer Corporation, Minneapolis,

Minn.

[22] Filed: Sept. 26, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 400,847

[52] 11.8. CI 62/283, 62/80, 62/272 [51] Int. Cl. F25b 5/00 [58] Fieldof Search 62/283, 80, 272

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,963,565 6/1934Stollsteimer 62/283 2,010,259 8/1935 Fretter 62/283 2,054,460 9/1936Frettern. 62/283 2,139,244 12/1938 Nauert 62/272 2,398,035 4/1946Pacifico 62/283 2,500,679 3/1950 Hawley 62/283 3,008,306 11/1961 Hiler62/283 Jan.7,19'75 Primary Examiner- -William J. Wye Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Dorsey, Marquart, Windhorst, West & Halladay [57] ABSTRACT Arefrigerated cabinet having a detachable frost shield which is easilyremovable for defrosting and quickly replaceable for further use. The:frost shield has a panel which serves to cover a liner surface of arefrigerated wall in the cabinet. A mounting means is provided havingone or more studs secured in a refrigerated wall so that the studsproject from the liner sur face thereof, and having a correspondingnumber of wedge-shaped embossments on the shield, the studs andembossments being placed in such a manner that they can be substantiallyaligned. As the frost shield is placed in a use position within therefrigerated cabinet, the embossments are engaged] by the correspond ingstuds, thereby forcing the panel of the shield tightly against the linersurface. The studs and embossments can be quickly disengaged at a laterdesirable time to remove the frost shield for defrosting. The detachablefrost shield can then once again be placed in the refrigerated cabinetfor further use.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures i i REFRIGERATED CABINET HAVING DETACHABLEFROST SHIELD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For many years, refrigeratedcabinets were equipped with liner surfaces which were fixed againstrefrigerated walls. Large amounts of frost would collect on the linersduring use, substantially reducing the operating efficiency of thecabinets. Since the liners were not removable, the only possible methodsof removing the frost were either to temporarily suspend use of therefrigerated cabinet or to scrape the frost from the fixed linersurface, both of which proved to be quite unsatisfactory.

From a practical standpoint, it was often undesirable to suspend use ofa refrigerated cabinet for the time necessary to melt the frost from thefixed liner surface by exposing it to the outside environment. This wasespecially true with regard to refrigerated cabinets used for commercialpurposes, such as ice cream dipping cabinets, which are particularlysusceptible to frost formation due to their frequent exposure during useto the saturated air of the warmer outside environment. It was usuallynecessary either to shift the contents of thecabinet to be defrosted toanother refrigerated cabinet or to expose the contents of the cabinet tothe outside environment. if the former course was chosen, a considerableamount of labor and inconvenience was involved. On the other hand, ifthe contents were exposed to the outside environment, the possibilitythat they would thaw and spoil was greatly increased. Also, removing thefrost by this method posed the problem of disposing of the waterdeposited in the cabinet when the frost had finally melted.

The alternative of scraping the frost from the fixed liner surface wasalso undesirable, since it required considerable labor andinconvenience, and by its very nature the scraping proved to be a mostdifficult task. In addition, although the cabinet could be continued inuse, the contents would often have to be shifted within the cabinet tomake scraping of the frost from the liner surface and removal of thefrost from the cabinet possible. However, an evenmore undesirable resultwas that the liner surface of the cabinet would often be damaged by useof the sharp instruments which were necessary to adequately perform thescraping operation.

In an effort to eliminate the disadvantage resulting from frostformation on the fixed liner surfaces of refrigerated cabinets,removable frost shields were developed. The purpose of the frost shieldswas to collect the frost on the surface of the removable shields ratherthan on the fixed liner surfaces.

Generally, frost shields have been mounted in cabi nets by being hungloosely downward over the top These undesirable methods of frost removalmust. still be followed on occasion to maintain the operating efficiencyof the refrigerated cabinet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with arefrigerated cabinet having a detachable frost shield which is tightlyheld against a liner surface of a refrigerated wall in a cabinet whilein use, and quickly removable for defrosting and replaceable for furtheruse at times when defrosting is desired. The present invention is alsoconcerned with a mounting means for a detachable frost shield 'tofacilitate effective use thereof.

The detachable frost shield consists of a panel which serves to coverthe liner surface of a refrigerated cabinet. Instead of being hungloosely downward over the top edge of the liner surface, as has been thepractice in the past, when the frost shield of the present invention isplaced in a use position in a refrigerated cabinet, the mounting meansholds the shield tightly against the liner surface.

The mounting means of the present invention consists of one or morestuds secured in a refrigerated wall so that the studs project fromthe'liner surface thereof at appropriately chosen locations. Each studhas a head and a shank portion with the diameter of the heads beingsomewhat greater than the diameter of the shanks. The cooperatingelement of the mounting means is a corresponding number of embossmentsplaced on the panel of the detachable frost shield at locationspermitting substantial alignment of the embossments with the studs. Theembossments are wedgeshaped with the wedges tapering outward from theliner surface toward the interior of the cabinet when the shield is in ause position. In the inclined surfaces of the embossments, and near thepoints where the outward tapers begin, there are openings somewhatlarger than the diameter of the stud heads.

edges of the fixed liner surfaces. A significant drawback to this typeof arrangement has been the fact that the frost shields have not beenfirmly held against the liners. In practice, this has permitted frost tocollect on the liner surfaces as well as on the frost shields.

As a result, use of this type of frost shield has reduced, but noteliminated, the adverse effects caused by the formation of frost on thefixed liner surface. Either a temporary suspension of use of therefrigerated cabinet, or scraping of the frost from the liner surfacehave remained periodically necessary to remove the frost buildup fromthe liner surface of the cabinet.

To place the panel of the frost shield in a use position within thecabinet, the detachable, frost shield is placed so that the stud headsproject through the openings in the inclined surfaces of thecorresponding embossments. The openings narrow until near the point ofmaximum outward taper they are of a diameter approximately equal to thediameter of the stud shanks. By pushing downward on the panel of thefrost shield, while having the stud heads projecting through theopenings, the frost shield is wedged against the liner surface. Thiscooperation between the embossments and the studs serves to hold thefrost shield tightly in place against the liner surface of therefrigerated cabinet during periods of use. Accordingly, substantiallyall of the frost formed within the refrigerated cabinet will bedeposited, as desired, on the detachable frost shield rather than on theliner surface.

After a'period of use, and a corresponding accumulation of frost on thepanel of the frost shield, the detachable shield is easily removed fromthe cabinet for the purpose of defrosting. The process for removing thefrost shield 'is exactly the reverse of that described above for placingit in a use position. The panel of the frost shield is simply pulledupward thereby reducing the wedging action caused by the: engagement ofthe embossments and the stud heads. When the stud heads and the largestportions of the openings in the inclined surfaces of the embossments arein substantial alignment, the panel of the detachable frost shield iscompletely disengaged from the studs and removed from the refrigeratedcabinet. The frost shield can then be washed in hot water to quicklyremove the accumulated frost. When the frost shield is defrosted, it canonce again be replaced in the" refrigerated cabinet for further use.

It should be noted that the present invention permits uninterrupted useof the refrigerated cabinet during the brief period of time required fordefrosting the detach able frost shield. In addition, removal of thefrost from the refrigerated cabinet can be done at frequent intervalsdue to the "ease with which defrosting can be per.- formed. This permitsthe cabinet to always be used at, or near, peak operating efficiency;Also, it should be noted that the present invention substantiallyeliminates the problem of a frost buildup on the liner surface of therefrigerated walls in the cabinet. Thus, a refrigerated cabinet having adetachable frost shield of the present invention permits quick andsimple defrosting with uninterrupted use. The frost shield prolongs thepotential use of the refrigerated cabinet while at the same time makingthat use substantially more efficient.

Various other features and objects of the invention will be apparentfrom a consideration of the accompanying specification, claims anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of myrefrigerated cabinet bearing the detachable frost shield with portionsof the cabinet broken away to better show the placement of the shield onthe liner surface;

FIG. 2 is a close-up perspective view of my detachable frost shield in ause position;

FIG. 3 is a frontal elevation of the mounting means showing both thewedge-shaped embossment and the stud in a use position; and

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the mounting means of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, therefrigerated cabinet shown, except for the detachable frost shield 11construction, is of a type commonly used commercially.

The cabinet 10 is provided with an exterior body 12 and an interiorliner surface 13, preferably ofa metallic construction with an acrylicenamel finish. A handrail 14 of stainless steel is also provided.Finally, referring to FIG. 4, refrigerated walls 15 are provided behindthe liner surface 13.

The body 12, refrigerated walls 15 and handrail l4 completely enclosethe major components of the refrigeration system of the cabinet 10. Thecomponents include cooling coils disposed behind the refrigerated walls15, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion device. Since therefrigeration components are of a type well-known in the art, they havenot been shown.

The refrigerated cabinet 10, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1for commercial use as an ice cream dipping cabinet, is provided with aglass canopy 16 having a front wall 17, a top wall 18 and a plurality ofside walls 19. In addition, lids 20 having back walls 21 and triangularframes 22, preferably of a transparent plastic material such asPlexiglass, are provided. The triangular frames 22 have a manipulatingmember 25 secured thereto and extending therebetween and having pivotalmounting points 23.

The glass canopy 16 is permanently secured to the handrail 14 of therefrigerated cabinet 10 and is of a suitable size and design to permiteasy customer viewing of the ice cream. The triangular frames 22 of thelids 20 are removably secured to the handrails.14 at the pivotalmounting points 23. The lids 20 are of suitable size and design so thatthe walls 21 and frames 22 engage both the canopy l6 and the handrail 14when the lids 20 are in a closed position (right-hand lid in FIG. 1) inorder to seal the interior 26 of the cabinet 10 from the outsideenvironment. The pivotal mounting points 23 easily permit the lids 20 tobe swung to an open position (left-hand lid in FIG. 1) when the operatormust dip ice cream from the cabinet 10 by lifting manipulating member25.

Within the cabinet 10, a plurality of detachable frost shields 11 can beseen. The frost shields 11 are attached to the liner surface 13 of thecabinet 10. The shields 11 are placed so as to cover locationssusceptible to frost accumulation during use of the cabinet 10.

The reason for using a number of frost shields 11 rather than a singleshield is to promote the ease and efficiency with which defrosting canbe handled through use of the present invention. The size, number andlocation of the shields 11 can be varied to meet the needs of aparticular refrigerated cabinet 10. The shape of the shields 11 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 was chosen to facilitate easy removal, washing andreplacement while at the same time maximizing the frost collectionfunction of the shields. However, the representation of the detachablefrost shields 11 is merely by way of example and not by way oflimitation.

Referring to FIG. 2, the general design characteristics of thedetachable frost shields 11 can more clearly be seen. They consist,generally, of a metallic construction covered with an acrylic enamelfinish in the form of substantially planar panels 27. While many otherfinishes are acceptable, a material of the acrylic type is preferredbecause it is sanitary, durable and easy to clean. At intermittentpoints along the frost shields ll, mounting means 28 are provided. Thespacing of the mounting means 28 is dependent upon the size and shape ofthe frost shields 11 which is, in turn, dependent upon the design of theparticular refrigerated cabinet 10 being used. In any event, mountingmeans 28 are provided at appropriately selected points sufficient tohold the detachable frost shields 11 tightly in place against the linersurface 13.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, lips 29 are provided atthe top edges of the panels 27. The lips 29 serve to stiffen the panels27. In addition, the lips 29 provide a lifting surface which aidsremoval for defrosting and replacement for further use of the frostshields 11.

Looking more closely at the mounting means 28, reference should be madeto FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 4, the stud 30 andstud head 31 projecting fromthe liner surface 13 of the refrigerated cabinet can clearly be seen.The'stud 30 has a threadedshank 32 which is threadedly engaged with therefrigerated wall 15 to hold the stud head 31 in the proper spacedrelation with respect to the liner surface 13. Surrounding the stud 30and the underside 33 of the stud head 31 is a flanged sleeve 34 of somesoft material such as a suitable plastic. The flanged sleeve 34 isprovided to prevent marring of the acrylic enamel finish on the frostshields 11 during engagement and disengagement of the stud therewith.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the wedge-shaped embossment 35 of thedetachable-frost shield 11 can be better understood. A tapered opening36 is provided in the inclined surface 37 of the embossment 35. As FIG.3 discloses, the lower extent 38 of the tapered opening 36 is slightlylarger than the diameter of the stud head 31. Further up the inclinedsurface 37 the size of the opening 36 decreases. Finally, at the upperextent 39 of the tapered opening 36 in the inclined surface 37 of theembossment 35, the diameter of the tapered opening 36 roughlycorresponds to the diameter of the stud shank 32 shown in FIG. 4.

When a detachable frost shield 11 is placed in the refrigerated cabinet10, the largest portions of each of the tapered openings 36 in theinclined surfaces 37 of the embossments 35 are aligned with thecorresponding stud heads 31. The stud heads 31 are then projectedthrough the tapered openings 36. To place the frost shield 11 in a useposition, the substantially planar panel 27 is then pushed downward byexerting a pressure on the lip 29 until the shank 32 portions of thestuds 30 are engaged with the upper extents 39 of the tapered openings36 in the embossments 35. When the shield 11 has been pushed into thisposition, the wedgeshaped embossments 35 acting against the stud heads31 force the frost shield 11 into firm engagement with the liner surface13 of the refrigerated cabinet 10. This same procedure is followed foreach of the detachable frost shields 11 being used in a particularrefrigerated cabinet 10.

After a period of use, with a corresponding buildup of frost on thefrost shields, the shields 11 can be removed for defrosting. To do this,the process of placing the shields 11 in the refrigerated cabinet issimply reversed. The shields 11 are pulled upward by using the lips 29.By this action, the embossments 35 are shifted to a position where thestud heads 31 are located at the lower extents 38 of the inclinedsurfaces 37 of the embossments 35. At this point, the tapered openings36 in the inclined surfaces 37 are larger than the stud heads 31. Thefrost shields 11 can simply be lifted off the studs 30 and taken to aproper receptable in order to remove the frost by washing with hotwater. When the defrosting process is completed, the detachable frostshields 11 can once again be placed in the refrigerated cabinet 10.

Since there will be essentially no buildup of frost under the detachablefrost shields 11 to remove, during periods when defrosting is desirablethe refrigerated cabinet 10 can be continued in use without thenecessity of scraping frsot from the liner surface 13. Therefore, thefrost shields 11 can be taken out of the cabinet 10, defrosted, andreplaced for further use in a minimum of time. Nothing else is necessaryto completely defrost the cabinet 10. This dramatically cuts defrostingtime and saves labor. As a result, frequent defrosting of the shields 11is possible with a corresponding improvement of cabinet efficiency,decrease of operating cost, and longer life for the refrigerated cabinet10.

While I have shown a specific embodiment of the cabinet for purposes ofillustration only, it is to be understood that the invention is to belimited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A refrigerated cabinet having a refrigerated wall with a linersurface thereon on which frost would tend to collect, and a detachablefrost shield having a substantially planar panel covering a frostsusceptible portion of said liner surface, said frost shield having amounting means detachably wedging said shield tightly in contact withsaid liner surface.

2. The refrigerated cabinet of claim 1 in which said frost shield has amounting means having an embossment in said substantially planar panelof said shield in the form of a wedge, a tapered opening in the inclinedsurface of said embossment, and a stud threadedly engaged with saidrefrigerated wall of said cabinet and projecting from said liner surfacein a manner enabling engagement of said stud with said tapered openingto detachably secure said frost shield tightly in contact with saidliner surface.

3. The refrigerated cabinet of claim 2 in which said mounting means forsaid frost shield has a plurality of said embossments, tapered openingsand studs.

4. The refrigerated cabinet of claim 1 in which there are a plurality ofsaid frost shields disposed to cover frost susceptible portions of saidliner surface.

5. The refrigerated cabinet of claim 1 in which said substantiallyplanar panel has a lip positioned at the top edge of said panel.

6. The refrigerated cabinet of claim 1 in which said frost shield ismetallic and has an acrylic enamel finish. =l

1. A refrigerated cabinet having a refrigerated wall with a linersurface thereon on which frost would tend to collect, and a detachablefrost shield having a substantially planar panel covering a frostsusceptible portion of said liner surface, said frost shield having amounting means detachably wedging said shield tightly in contact withsaid liner surface.
 2. The refrigerated cabinet of claim 1 in which saidfrost shield has a mounting means having an embossment in saidsubstantially planar panel of said shield in the form of a wedge, atapered opening in the inclined surface of said embossment, and a studthreadedly engaged with said refrigerated wall of said cabinet andprojecting from said liner surface in a manner enabling engagement ofsaid stud with said tapered opening to detachably secure said frostshield tightly in contact with said liner surface.
 3. The refrigeratedcabinet of claim 2 in which said mounting means for said frost shieldhas a plurality of said embossments, tapered openings and studs.
 4. Therefrigerated cabinet of claim 1 in which there are a plurality of saidfrost shields disposed to cover frost susceptible portions of said linersurface.
 5. The refrigerated cabinet of claim 1 in which saidsubstantially planar panel has a lip positioned at the top edge of saidpanel.
 6. The refrigerated cabinet of claim 1 in which said frost shieldis metallic and has an acrylic enamel finisH.